Chuck Lidell Interview - chrisnieratko.com

Chuck Lidell Interview

When Rob "Pickle King" Fleisher called me and told me that Crave Entertainment was making an Ultimate Fighting Championship video game where you can punch, grab, kick, wrestle and totally maim an opponent in a variety of fighting styles, I was like a rich kid in a whore house for the first time. But when he told me that I also had the opportunity to interview Chuck Lidell, a UFC kickboxer from San Luis Obispo, I really felt like I was gonna nut in my pants. And when he said 'yes' to my request to have Chuck kick the shit out of Steve the Intern it was like I could feel the juices running down my leg.

Surprisingly, Steve was an eager little beaver when we asked him if he'd like to get his teeth handed to him. "Sure, when?" was his response. He even went into training for the match, which consisted of staying up late, drinking heavily and eating a lot of pasta; it seemed to make sense to me, his trainer. Too bad the poor dipshit didn't have a snowball's chance in hell, though. Even if he'd brought a baseball bat and some friends I'm certain he would have gotten worked over. Chuck has a head like a cinder block and a physique that was born to dole out

pain and it didn't help matters that we told him that Steve kept saying he was a pussy and thought that UFC was fake. No that didn't help one bit. When they stepped into the ring I felt like I was about to witness a prison gang-rape scene. Our little baby-bunny Steve was frozen in fear before Chuck, so much so that he forgot to put up his fists to block the first few hits to his head. He did manage to throw a few punches, most of which connected solidly with a whole lot of nothing. Those that did hit, though, landed in Chuck's pecker package area, which only made Chuck angrier. Within two minutes Steve was on the ground choking himself with his own hand and tapping out with the other.

You got any specific plans on anything you're going to do to Steve today?

Chuck Lidell: I wasn't even sure what I was doing when we came, but I'll figure something out.

But, you won't have any problems dropping him real quick?

No. No. Whatever you guys want.

Dave Carnie: Is there any man you fear? From what I've seen from these Ultimate Fighting things, every one of these dudes seems like they have nobody in the world to fear but each other. Like would you be scared of anybody in a bar?

I don't fight in bars really, but there's nobody I'm afraid of. There's some tough guys out there, a lot of guys, you know, but no, I'm not afraid to fight anybody. If the money's right, I guess.

How many fights have you lost?

One. It was against Jeremy Horn; I got caught at the end of the fight. Caught me in a choke. It happens.

How many dudes do you think you could fight at once?

It all depends on the guys.

Like say all of us went at you, you'd probably take all of us, right?

My guess, just looking at you, probably. But I've fought some tough guys, skinny guys, that don't look like much.

You think there's a chance you might make Steve cry today?

I could try. I don't know what kind of guy he is: Some guys, no matter how much punishment you give them, they won't cry.

I notice that some guys use like Asian arts, other guys just street brawl -- what's your style out there?

I have a karate background, and then I did kick-boxing for a long time.

Why do you call yourself The Ice Man?

My old trainer called me that 'cause he just thought it was weird I didn't get nervous before fights.

Do you get all mad and really try to hurt the guys when you fight?

I don't like being mad, actually. I'm trying to hurt the guy, I'm really trying to hurt the guy, but when I'm done I'm hoping he's okay.

What's the worst damage you've done to somebody?

Knockouts, mainly, I mean, some cuts but no broken bones.

What do you think of wrastling?

What, pro wrestling? You know, if people like it, they're making money. I'm not a big fan of it. It's kind of like a soap opera for guys.

Do you think those guys are pussies?

It's probably guy by guy, you know, depends. Some of them are, from what I hear.

These kinds of things, do guys grab your balls a lot?

No, actually, that was one of the few rules they had down there, is that you couldn't grab the balls.

You ever get wasted before any of your fights?

No, definitely not. After a few, but not before.

Does it piss you off with this UFC video game that I could play like a little guy and kick your ass?

No. All the guys at the gym can't wait for it to come out so they can kick my ass.

Is that the only chance they've got of kicking your ass?

Yeah, pretty much. They just think it's funny.

Steve, now that you see Chuck, how do you feel?

Steve: Dude, he looks like an ass-kicker. Fuck man, I'm a little nervous. But I've been training. I've been running.

What else have you been doing to train?

Steve: I've been running and drinking. To calm my nerves and stuff. I was going to get drunk today, but I don't think I want to. I want to be ready. I woke up this morning and my dad's all, "You want something to eat before you get your ass kicked?" and I was like, "Stop. You're my family!"

What'd you tell your folks?

Steve: I said, "I'm going to go fight this Ultimate Fighter," and me and my dad and my brother are all into Ultimate Fighting so they know. Everybody else is like, "One of those wrestler guys?" I'm like. "No, the real guys, that fuck people up." My dad's just like, "Aw, shit. Make me proud." Some of my friends are like, "Just go in there swinging."

What do you think now about your competition Chuck? A little nervous?

Yeah, I'm getting kind of nervous now.

For more of Chuck go to www.iceman.tv

Comments

Media Busman
08 Sep 2007, 12:54

Hi Chris!
I hope you can help me. I am planning a surprise 40th bday for my husband, SANDER. He loves Chuck Lidell & Randy Couture. Can you help me ask for a 10 seconds video message from them? Greet my husband and I'll make a video presentation. It can be done thru a cellphone using picture message. You can reach me at (732) 687-7538. Thanks and looking forward to hear from you.

MEDIA BUSMAN
Ocean, NJ

joe blow
11 Dec 2007, 21:25

You, Steve and Chuck are fags.